Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali has warned that the introduction of formal blessings for same sex couples would be a “red line” for many members of the Church of England.
Report
The comments come ahead of a report due to be issued by the Pilling Commission, which is examining the Church of England’s official position on issues of marriage and sexuality.
It is expected that the commission will recommend that a formal form of liturgy is introduced by the Church for couples entering into same sex ‘marriages’ or civil partnerships.
But Bishop Nazir-Ali said that clergy and lay members who disagree with the move could reject the authority of Bishops in the Church who support the change.
Red line
“If there is an attempt to provide for blessing of same-sex unions that will be a red line for many people,” he said.
“Indeed it may be a red line for some bishops, dare I say.”
Speaking at a gathering of Anglican leaders in Kenya last month, Bishop Nazir-Ali said that any move by church leaders to introduce a formal service for same sex relationships would fail people who want to “maintain orthodoxy in the faith.”
Conference
331 bishops attending the conference, which drew over 1,300 Anglicans from across the world, backed a statement which urged parishes who believe the Church is undermining “Biblical faithfulness” to think about dropping their funding.
The statement warned that “homosexual practice” was being endorsed as “holy”.
“We want to make clear that any civil partnership of a sexual nature does not receive the blessing of God,” the statement said.
A Church of England spokesman confirmed that the Pilling report will go to the House of Bishops in December.
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